Real life Experience of Medical Cannabis Treatment in Autism : Analysis of Safety and Efficacy

Lihi Bar-Lev Schleider, Raphael Mechoulam, Naama Saban, Gal Meiri & Victor Novack

Scientific Reports, Nature.com, 2019, 9, 200, 1-7

Doi : 10.1038/s41598-018-37570-y

 

There has been a dramatic increase in the number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) worldwide. Recently anecdotal evidence of possible therapeutic effects of cannabis products has emerged. The aim of this study is to characterize the epidemiology of ASD patients receiving medical cannabis treatment and to describe its safety and efficacy. We analysed the data prospectively collected as part of the treatment program of 188 ASD patients treated with medical cannabis between 2015 and 2017. The treatment in majority of the patients was based on cannabis oil containing 30% CBD and 1.5% THC. Symptoms inventory, patient global assessment and side effects at 6 months were primary outcomes of interest and were assessed by structured questionnaires. After six months of treatment 82.4% of patients (155) were in active treatment and 60.0% (93) have been assessed; 28 patients (30.1%) reported a significant improvement, 50 (53.7%) moderate, 6 (6.4%) slight and 8 (8.6%) had no change in their condition. Twenty-three patients (25.2%) experienced at least one side effect; the most common was restlessness (6.6%). Cannabis in ASD patients appears to be well tolerated, safe and effective option to relieve symptoms associated with ASD.

There has been a 3-fold increase during the last 3 decades in the number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders worldwide1–5. No specific treatments are currently available and interventions are focussing on lessening of the disruptive behaviors, training and teaching self-help skills for a greater independence6.
Recently, CBD enriched cannabis has been shown to be beneficial for children with autism7. In this retrospective study on 60 children, behavioural outbreaks were improved in 61% of patients, communication problems in 47%, anxiety in 39%, stress in 33% and disruptive behaviour in 33% of the patients. The rationale for this treatment is based on the previous observations and theory that cannabidiol effects might include alleviation of psychosis, anxiety, facilitation of REM sleep and suppressing seizure activity8. A prospective single-case-study of Dronabinol (a THC-based drug) showed significant improvements in hyperactivity, lethargy, irritability, stereotypy and inappropriate speech at 6 month follow-up9. Furthermore, Dronabinol treatment of 10 adolescent patients with intellectual disability resulted in 8 patients showing improvement in the management of treatment-resistant self-injurious behaviour10.

In 2007, The Israel Ministry of Health began providing approvals for medical cannabis, mainly for symptoms palliation. In 2014, The Ministry of Health began providing licenses for the treatment of children with epilepsy. After seeing the results of cannabis treatment on symptoms like anxiety, aggression, panic, tantrums and self injurious behaviour, in children with epilepsy, parents of severely autistic children turned to medical cannabis for relief.

Although many with autism are being treated today with medical cannabis, there is a significant lack of knowledge regarding the safety profile and the specific symptoms that are most likely to improve under cannabis treatment.

Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize the patient population receiving medical cannabis treatment for autism and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this therapy.

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s41598-018-37570-y